WESTFIELD – Frank J. Markel, 78, of Westfield passed away, unexpectedly in his sleep, on December 9, 2022, at home. He was born in Hartford, CT and 
grew up on a shade grown tobacco farm in West Suffield, CT. He was predeceased by his father, Edward V. Markel, Sr., his mother, Valentina
Markel (Horanzy) and his brother, Edward V. Markel, Jr.
Frank was a decorated Vietnam combat veteran, honored with a Bronze Star, who served in the United States Army as a member of the 1st Infantry Division of The Big Red One in the artillery unit from 1968-1969.
He was employed at Micro Abrasives in Westfield for over thirty years. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and archery but he found his true passion when his son introduced him to the game of golf. He made it a priority to play at least twice a week, no matter the weather forecast. Nothing made him prouder than being able to spend that time on the links with his son.
Gifted mechanically and a true craftsman with his hands, he loved building and flying RC airplanes and helicopters, wood turning, and the creation of custom pens on his workshop lathe that he gifted to special friends, family and doctors that he met along the way.
He especially loved his annual road trips to Gettysburg, PA with his best friend Eddie Kotarski. Nothing in the world brought him more joy than spending time with his two beloved granddaughters and he was always in attendance at every concert, dance performance and sporting event.
Frank leaves his wife of 57 years, Elaine Markel (Nihill) of Southwick; one son, Timothy Markel and his wife Nicole of Southwick; his granddaughters Haley and Hannah; his daughter-in-law’s mother Christine St. Germain of Westfield and his daily coffee crew: Eddie, Rocky, Bobby G., Jimmy S. and Jimmy G.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 18th from 1:00-4:00pm at Firtion Adams Funeral Home. The burial will be privately held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
